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2011

Paul Money
Derek Matheson
Brendan Burgess
John Broomfield
Brendan Burgess
Michael Crane
Julian Fetterlein
Michael Brereton
Dod Davies
Peter Bennet
Jim Johnson
John Clark
Nigel Briddon

Arthur Musgrove

David Startin

Rachel Rhodes

Tom Duggan

Julian Fetterlein

Adrian Jones

Mardi Ohannessian

Myke Wignall

It was a disappointing turnout for the Main (21) considering the £585 Rollover - not that it bothered those that turned out to have a go at winning it. One of the more determined was last month's winner, Myke Wignall. This time he was in the WTA and wanted 'his' money back!

He got the chance when, on the Sunday in the semi-final he beat Andy Bell. In the other semi, Paul Plumptre got the better of Dan Tutchings. Played with clocks, Myke predicted he'd not use much of his reserve time (as in his final against Julian Fetterlein in last month's Hinckley Five-O final) and he was true to his word.

The match hinged around the cubing decisions, which, like the curate's egg were good and bad in parts - very bad in some! In the 11 point match Myke was playing as black.

Game 1

Black 0 White 0
White cubes

Black is in danger of being trapped behind a prime quite soon so this cube is just about at the right time. White is ahead in the race and his two runners will soon be on their own side of the board. But, black's anchor is just good enough for the take.

White rolled 62: 16/10, 15/13. Later he left a shot off the bar with 8s, black missed and white won the two points.

Game 2

Black 0 White 2
Black cubes

This isn't a cube. Black has some potential but at the moment he's only got one extra home board point made and he's got a runner facing three pointing checkers. White has a good home board 3-prime and is threatening to make black's bar-point. It's an easy take for white.

Later we get the re-cube

White re-cubes

Having seen black hand over an easy take, white now hands over an even easier pass. This is too good to double. White has almost 46% gammon chances and could well afford to hang onto the cube and see what transpires. I know Myke has a reputation for taking (and giving) some suspect cubes, but even he dropped this one like a hot potato.

Game 3

Black 0 White 4
Black cubes

It's far too early to be cubing and white was never going to pass. There's only eight pips between them and the only 'advantage' black has is his 4-point. He has two blots on, one of which is under attack from three white checkers. In fact, of the two, I reckon white is the favourite.

However, being the 'favourite' didn't work out for white. He ended up back on black's ace-point desperately looking for a hit but never got one. Black won the bearoff and the two points as he chased, but failed to get, a gammon.

Game 4

Black 2 White 4
Black cubes

Almost a repeat of the previous cube. Again black has little 'advantage' - he doesn't even own his own 5-point. His only hope here is to hit one or both of white's blots. It's an easy take for white.

Six rolls later and the 4-cube is offered.

White re-cubes

White is certainly in a better position than black: he (still) holds the advanced anchor, and he's got two black runners a long way from any points on which to land safely. But, he still has to get his own runners away. Black has a good take here.

White rolls 41: 6/5*, 5/1* and goes for two on the bar. The reply is 51: 25/20, 25/24*; after which white dances with 31.

Black re-cubes

Yep, it's an 8-cube! Myke has more 8-cube games than anyone else I know. He ships it across immediately after white's 31 dancer. White is still favourite to re-enter and by holding the black 5-point, he's got a nice safe landing spot, one of which is quite easy to escape from. Black still has to escape his two runners and that might well prove difficult. An easy take for white.

White is soon up against it with five checkers back in white's home board and bar; however, he turns it around but is robbed when black rolls a cracking 44 in this position:

Black's Boxes
Plays 20/4

With 8 points heading black's way, white has to save the gammon, which, in this position looks quite doable. But, white didn't foresee black's two consecutive double-sixes; and if black had rolled a third double (they all worked) it would have been a gammon. In fact black wouldn't have needed the double, all white had to do was roll a 2 or a 1 to be gammoned - he rolled 53: 10/5, 3/0.

The Crawford game went Myke's way, helped by an opening 66; and later, another 66 and a 22 got him into a position where he could bear in and all he had to do was avoid leaving a shot for the two white checkers waiting expectantly on his 3-point. He did and went on to win the match and his second consecutive Main. Well done, Myke, and commiserations to Paul.

NB: This match is available as a Snowie or XG match file. Email your preference.

 

 

Meanwhile, in the Progressive Consolation (17), Andy Darby (prog-side) was pitched against non-prog, Lawrence Powell, and prog-side Paul Christmas was pitched against non-prog Mark Calderbank. Andy and Paul prevailed and in the final, Paul took home his second Consolation trophy.

The Last Chance (16) saw Neil Everitt beat Fanika Petkovska and Peter Bennet beat Peter Christmas in the semis. In the final Peter got the better of Neil and he took home second Last Chance trophy. The Sandy (8), 3-pointer had Paul Barwick beat Lawrence Powell, and Dan Tutchings beat Mark Calderbank in the semis. In the final it was Dan who got the upper hand and he notched up his second 3-pointer trophy.

 

 

Alongside the Main we ran a 1-point Knockout (18), the final of which saw Lawrence Powell triumph over Paul Christmas.

As usual the Saturday evening saw the Poker (6) in which new-member, Brad Frishberg came 1st, Lawrence Powell 2nd and Paul Christmas 3rd. The Doubles (4) had Cottagewebs weave their web around Pure Evil, and The Reluctant Duo shooed away The Bears. In the final, Cottagewebs were spun out completely by The Reluctant Duo as they reluctantly took first place.

The Friday 500 (8) saw Paul Christmas lose to Mardi Ohannessian as Mardi returned from his Greek island holiday. Although he didn't do too well (he lost in the first round) Myke Wignall gained enough points to go slightly ahead of Tim Line in the listings. If he can keep at the top of the list after November's event he'll get a £100 bonus - but it's not going to be easy. With 20 points up for grabs, and with the least number of points Myke can gain being just 4, he can be replaced.

Finally
It was a good weekend, slightly marred by the slow restaurant service on Saturday evening - almost 40 minutes for the starters to be served and 75 minutes for the main course. Next month it's back to Hinckley where at least the service is (slightly) better.

Reminder: The Swiss format Townharbour Trophy in November is the last chance to rack up Grand Prix and Ranking Championship points. Playing 6 x 11 point matches will most probably make some major changes to the final listings and to the prize fund payouts. If you want to protect or improve your position, this event is a must.